STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1110

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 30

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 30 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR THE ANE KEOHOKALOLE HIGHWAY EXTENSION, MID-LEVEL ROAD, IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to express legislative support for the Ane Keohokalole highway extension, mid-level road, in the County of Hawai‘i.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation; County of Hawai‘i; The Pacific Resource Partnership; Hawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund; and two individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     The Department of Transportation has identified the Ane Keohokalole Highway extension, mid-level road as a priority project.  The Ane Keohokalole Highway extension project is being coordinated with the County of Hawai‘i, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

     The Ane Keohokalole Highway extension is a mid-level road project that will help reduce traffic congestion in the Kealakehe region by providing an alternative to the presently existing routes.  The Ane Keohokalole Highway extension will provide direct access to two major affordable housing projects, which would allow residents to purchase affordable homes being developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (Villages of La‘i ‘Opua, more than 700 homes) and Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation (Keahuolu project, 2,200 homes).  Together, the two housing projects will help meet the need for affordable housing in the North Kona area, and simultaneously provide construction jobs to stimulate the Big Island economy.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 30 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair